Leadership: Risk and Return

In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Host Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting, Inc. sits down with Guest Kevin Nelis, Advisory Principal at True. and a strategy advisor with over a decade of experience across venture building, consulting, and leadership advisory.Kevin breaks down why culture is not a soft concept but the real driver of execution, performance, and survival in modern organizations. He explains how strategy without culture collapses in practice, why investors prioritize founders over products, and how leadership today is about building adaptability in a world shaped by constant AI-driven change. He also introduces the idea of “human infrastructure” and explains why the future belongs to organizations that invest in communication, behavior, trust, and decision-making systems rather than just tools and technology.Expect to Learn:Why culture determines whether strategy actually works in executionHow investors evaluate leadership teams beyond products and marketsWhy adaptability is now a survival skill in an AI-driven business worldWhat “human infrastructure” means and why it drives organizational successHow leaders can design environments that improve decision-making and behaviorWhy growth mindset and learning matter more than raw talent over timeEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Introduction to Kevin Nelis and his background in consulting, venture building, and advisory work[03:34] – Defining organizational culture and what actually shapes it inside companies[05:04] – How leaders intentionally shape culture and influence behavior[09:29] – How investors evaluate leadership teams and why founders matter most[10:36] – Why strategy fails without cultural alignment in execution[17:48] – Traits of strong leaders including optimism and long-term thinking[20:12] – Budget allocation using the 10-20-70 model for tech, data, and people[23:33] – Human infrastructure and how it improves execution and change speed[36:47] – B Corp mindset, ethical business, and reinvesting profits into real societal impact[42:51] – Closing RemarksFollow the Guest, Kevin Nelis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nelis/Website: https://www.true.global/Follow the Host, Netysha Santos:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/More from Avion Consulting, Inc.:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Netysha Santos from Avion Consulting sits down with Ken Hickey, CFO coach at Ken Advisory and a finance leader with over 30 years of experience, including 16 years at Microsoft, to discuss the evolving role of the CFO. Ken explains why technical expertise alone is no longer enough and how CFOs must develop strategic leadership skills to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and drive business value.He shares insights on executive presence, the human role of CFOs as a signal to boards and investors, and how finance can be the starting point for AI and digital transformation initiatives within organizations.Expect to Learn:How the CFO role has evolved from technical reporting to strategic leadershipKey leadership skills CFOs need for influencing boards, CEOs, and investorsWhy executive presence and personal authority are critical for CFO successHow to manage ambiguity while maintaining professional rigorThe role of finance in driving AI adoption and digital transformationEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] - Introduction to Ken Hickey & his career background[02:55] - Transition from corporate finance to executive coaching[05:12] - Challenges of the CFO role and high turnover[09:30] - Gap between technical training and strategic leadership needs[12:48] - Executive presence and communicating effectively with stakeholders[15:18] - Risks of not developing strategic CFO capabilities[21:05] - Moving from control to influence; operational to strategic focus[25:55] - Learning leadership through experience and self-development[32:15] - Managing ambiguity and decision-making frameworks[35:04] - AI and innovation: finance as a starting point for digital transformationFollow the Guest, Ken Hickey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-hickey/Website: https://www.kenhickeyadvisory.com/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ken-hickey-advisory/Follow the Host, Netysha SantosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/More for Avion Consulting:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

In the world of leadership, the best talent isn't just filling roles—they're shaping the future of organizations. They're the strategic thinkers, the cultural architects, and the leaders who drive performance through their people.Welcome to Leadership: Risk and Return, hosted by Netysha Santos. With a proven track record in leadership development and executive coaching, Netysha has been empowering organizations to create high-performing teams and visionary leaders for years. This podcast delves into the real-world challenges and opportunities that leaders face across industries, from building cohesive teams to transforming decision-making processes.Whether you're an executive striving to navigate organizational change or a leader looking to elevate your team’s potential, Leadership: Risk and Return is your essential resource for building effective leadership systems that deliver lasting impact.Subscribe now to Leadership: Risk and Return and start redefining what leadership means for your organization. A new episode is coming soon!